Healing Hearts (New Hope Falls #6) - Kimberly Rae Jordan Page 0,89

wasn’t sure what you might like.”

“What do you like?” Sophia asked as she glanced up at him, her light eyes framed by a sweep of dark lashes.

“I like it all, so you pick what you want to eat.”

With tentative movements, she picked up one of the hash browns, and then her fingers rested for a moment on the pancakes.

“We can save the pancakes for Bryson,” Ryker said, though he wasn’t sure the boy would be up to eating just yet.

She looked up at him, her eyes bright with tears. “Thank you.”

After that, she picked up a wrapped breakfast sandwich.

“I wasn’t sure what you’d like to drink, so I got both apple and orange juice as well as a smoothie. I didn’t know if you’d like coffee.”

“Did you want the smoothie?” she asked.

“Nope. I have a travel mug of coffee.” He worked the smoothie cup free from the tray and held it out to her. “Does Bryson like apple or orange juice?”

“He’ll drink both, though he seems to like orange juice a bit better,” she said as she sat down on a chair next to the small table.

“We’ll leave them for him along with the pancakes.” He went and got his travel mug from the duffle bag, pulling out the bananas and peanut butter. As he set them on the table, he said, “I brought these for him too.”

Sophia’s gaze moved to the items, and he could see that tears were once again threatening to fall. “Thank you, Ryker. You’ve done so much for us. For him. How can we ever repay you?”

Setting the items he’d chosen for his breakfast along with his travel mug on the table, Ryker settled in the chair opposite Sophia. “I don’t expect you to repay me, Sophia. I…care about the two of you, and because of that, I want to help you.”

Without looking at him, she broke off a small piece of the hash brown and put it in her mouth. Ryker was glad to see her eating, and he hoped that the doctor wouldn’t show up until after she was done. Then once the rounds were done, he planned to get her to rest.

In between bites, he began to tell her a bit about when he’d worked there at the hospital. It seemed to be a good distraction for her, and for some reason, the idea that she might like to learn more about him was appealing. Especially since his curiosity about her was growing by leaps and bounds.

He knew he should be more wary, but he was being drawn further and further into their lives by things beyond his control. Sure, he could have just dropped them off at the ER the day before and left them there, but if he’d have done that, he wouldn’t have been able to live with himself.

“Have you let your family know about Bryson?” he asked when they’d finished eating.

Sophia’s shoulders slumped as she sighed. “No. Not yet.”

“Why not?”

She met his gaze for a moment before looking back down at her hands. “I don’t want to worry them.”

“But they’re your family. Part of their job is to worry about you.” He certainly gave his family plenty to worry about, and he’d been worried about each of his family members at different times in his life.

“I’ve already given them a lifetime of worry,” she murmured. “I don’t want to add to it.”

“What about Bryson’s father?” Ryker knew he probably shouldn’t be pushing, but…well, he was curious. And he’d moved to the point where he’d answer any question she put to him. Which was more than he’d do for anyone else.

Her features tightened as her gaze shifted to Bryson. “He’s dead.”

“Should I offer my condolences on that?” Ryker asked.

She looked at him and frowned. “No. It’s for the best.”

He’d suspected that that was the case, but having it put so bluntly left him speechless for a moment. Thankfully, he was saved from formulating a response by the arrival of the doctor with three residents in tow.

Ryker groaned inwardly at the sight of Doctor Ellis, a man he knew quite well from his own time as a resident at the hospital. His reaction was selfish, though, because he knew from experience that the man was the best doctor at the hospital. The older man’s steely gray gaze swept the room, freezing when it landed on Ryker. His bushy brows jerked up as he stepped closer to where they sat.

“Doctor Bennett,” he said as he held out his hand. “This is